CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013 Nissan Altima has multiple problem trends including the CVT transmission, and now that this model is out of warranty, it earns our "Avoid Like The Plague" badge.

Owners complain about vibration and transmission failure related to the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), a whining noise from the power steering pump, and constant windshield problems that appear to be the result of poor design.

Be warned: the 2014 & 2015 Nissan Altima appears to share these same problems.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,569 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Nissan Altima drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Nissan Altima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 25)

problem #488

Apr 252024

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought the car at 48, 750 miles at 71,000, transmission was sputtering and stalling. Extended warranty from Zurich paid for new parts in an old transmission. Now, car is at 106,000, transmission is shot, it is banging and knocking while driving.

- Southampton, PA, USA

problem #487

Nov 212023

Altima

  • miles
Hello, I took my Nissan Altima into my local Nissan dealer for a hood latch recall on 11/13/2023. On [XXX] at about [XXX] I was driving my car at a speed of maybe 45-50mph and my hood flew open hitting my windshield causing damage to my car, and scaring my son and I. I called the dealer the next morning and spoke to Anthony from the service department regarding this situation, and he stated a faulty latch could have been put on my car, causing this to happen. I sent pictures to him via email, and he advised that he would contact the director and call me back with an update. I received a callback within hours advising Nissan would cover the damages but I would need to contact consumer affairs to see which location could do the repairs as they were behind by 8 month at that location in particular and could not provide me with a loaner car. My fiancé contacted consumer affairs on 11/22/2023 and was told someone would call on 11/27/2023. I received a missed call and voicemail advising that I would receive a callback on 11/29/2023. I did not want to wait until the 29th and tried calling back as well as emailing several times and had not heard back. Today 11/28/2023 a call was placed to the direct number I was given and no answer. I then called the 800 number and spoke with a rep named Monica requesting a supervisor or manager and was yelled at and told I would receive a call back on the 29th. I advised that I am extremely saddened by the way I am being handled after such a traumatic ordeal that could have been deadly or life altering. This recall was supposed to prevent this issue, and it only caused it. This recall hasn't done anything to fix the cars, and neither have three other hood latch recalls for Altima cars. Altima drivers are in danger from hoods that suddenly fly open while driving, and this situation just proves a problem. Nissan doesn't know how to properly repair it, and my car and I are proof. As of today 1/30/2024, I received a callback from Maria. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

- Westchester , IL, USA

problem #486

Sep 302023

Altima

  • 90,200 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and jerked intermittently. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 90,200.

- Palmer, MA, USA

problem #485

Sep 012023

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There is a known cvt transmission issue with certain years of different models of Nissans. My sons car recently started hesitating and not accelerating when pulling out of intersections. I took the vehicle to Nissan and was told that there is a known issue and they have extended warranties on the issue but my sons car was out of warranty and they were not willing to assist due to no recalls as of yet. The issue with the car hesitating is a huge safety concern. They recommended a new transmission for $6500.

- Butler , PA, USA

problem #484

Mar 212023

Altima 4-cyl

  • 91,756 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to shift from park(P) to drive(D), the gear shift lever failed to move as needed. The contact stated that the gear shifter also failed to shift to reverse(R). The contact stated that she had to move the shifter back and forth until the gear shifter responded. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the shifter assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,756.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #483

Oct 012021

Altima

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown component needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and was also serviced under two unrelated recalls; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was sputtering and jerking while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the CVT controller needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #482

Apr 202023

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cat transmission when out for the second time

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #481

Apr 292023

Altima

  • miles
While driving my vehicle when trying to accelerate it wouldn-??t go above 20mph had to hit the brakes then vehicle would just accelerate real fast I was in traffic with my kids thank god we wasn-??t hurt Nissan needs to recall this situation it-??s affecting a lot of 2013 and

- Kinston , NC, USA

problem #480

Jan 032023

Altima

  • miles
My power steering somehow had a slow leak which caused steering wheel to lock on while driving. Also, when I turn it sounds like a clucking sound like something is wrong with my power train. When I drive my accelerator seems like it be taking its time to catch up to speed. I've done did so much mechanical work to this car and it seems like nothing is working.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #479

Oct 172022

Altima

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and approaching a stop light, the vehicle started shaking violently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic replaced the wheel bearing, performed an alignment, and replaced the tires; however, the failure persisted. On another occasion, while accelerating, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to any independent mechanic, but no failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Lockport, NY, USA

problem #478

Feb 172023

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the vehicle the car shut off while driving on the Highway in traffic.When the vehicle came to a complete stop after thankfully not being in a collision the vehicle would start but wouldn't go into drive.It was later Determined that the Transmission suffered a catastrophic failure for the second time.The Transmission has less than 17K on it and the first Transmission failed at 41K Nissan should be held accountable for producing a Transmission that can cause a catastrophic accident due to a complete Mechanical failure on a piece of equipment that Nissan Produced. Nissan and the government agencies are aware of the issues with these vehicles and failures to take action.Shame on Both.

- Woodland Park, NJ, USA

problem #477

Feb 012023

Altima

  • miles
My 2013 Nissan Altima only has 121,000 miles and is only driven 1 time per week all highway miles. This week my car broke down in the middle of several intersections....very dangerous! I was almost hit several times because my car would just die when trying to take off. I never had any warning or warning lights appear. I was told by Nissan dealership I had transmission failure related to the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). I now need a new transmission which costs $5,000. This is an ongoing issue with Nissan and CVT Transmissions. I would like to see Nissan make it right for their consumers that purchased their 2013 Nissan Altima and other models/years only to have the transmission fail due to faulty CVT transmissions that Nissan is aware of and will not take responsibility for or do anything to help. Year after year they continue to use the same faulty CVT transmission. They have extended the original warranty of 5 years/60,000 to 10 years/120,000 for 2003-2010 Nissan models with the CVT transmission due to this problem yet refuse to help the consumers of newer Nissan models. This is not right and it is not fair. They have deceived their consumers by having the knowledge of the CVT transmission failures yet still continue to use them.

- Monroe, MI, USA

problem #476

Oct 122022

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles
doing 55 or 60 the car goes into limp mode and wont let me go more then 35 to 45 at times its a safety hazard as cars almost ran right into the back of my car if nissan dont fix the issue i will hire a lawyer and sue nissan its not worth losing my life or the life of others in my car GET THIS ISSUE TAKEN CARE OF NOW....i have called nissan in mansfield about this issue 3 different times ive emailed nissan and still to this day they have not reached out to

- North Fairfield , OH, USA

problem #475

Jan 152022

Altima

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, he heard abnormally loud sounds coming from the transmission. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle responded as needed and the contact continued driving. However, the contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

- Florence, KY, USA

problem #474

Oct 232022

Altima

  • miles
CVT Failure yes it is available for inspection at this time. I was driving down Massachusetts Route 114 and slowed as approaching a traffic light the car shook and sputtered and shut off and could not get it to move as cars behind me were speeding up behind me the car would start again but shut off when placed in gear could not move from the middle of the road. Yes my safety and the people speeding up behind me were at risk. The dealer has confirmed that the CVT transmission has failed this is a known Nissan problem. No warning until the time it happened the engine light came on as it died. Nissan should be required to recall this known part failure instead of placing lives in danger.

- Beverly , MA, USA

problem #473

Aug 072022

Altima 4-cyl

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, while slowing the vehicle for traffic ahead, the vehicle started to shake with the steering wheel jerking to the left and the right. The contact was able to slow the vehicle however, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failure occurred constantly. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the CVT transmission and front and rear suspension needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that the drive train and bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #472

Aug 162018

Altima

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while his son was driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering significantly and the parking brake engaged independently, which locked the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times the same day. The son was able to restart the vehicle on each occasion. However, the failure persisted and the contact's son could no longer start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) software needed to be updated. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) module was replaced. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who reprogrammed the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) module. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #471

Dec 292021

Altima

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while at a red traffic light, the vehicle stalled and vibrated, and then lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact then restarted the vehicle and drove to her destination; however, the vehicle lost motive power again. The vehicle remained at the location for a day; the contact then returned and noticed the transmission fluid had drained out onto the ground. The local mechanic confirmed the transmission fluid leak. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer out of town and diagnosed with transmission failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the transmission was repaired by another mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #470

May 132022

Altima

  • miles
1) Driver-??s side airbag warning light is on all the time, constant red. 2) Transmission shift lever would not move out of park and had to be replaced @ 115,000 at a cost of $954. 3) The transmission failed and had to be replaced at 118,000 at a cost of $4,500. When I contacted Nissan about these issues, I was told that there was nothing they could do.

- Monroe, MI, USA

problem #469

Jun 112022

Altima

  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle then lost motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000.

- Pittsboro, NC, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?